Sorry Not Sorry
An Apology Poem Challenge
I am so profoundly sorry I ruined your young life
I am so sorry for bringing a screeching halt
To your unencumbered freedom
I am sorry you were harnessed
With some unwelcomed, bitter responsibilities
When you were not too young to comprehend.
All you wanted was to run with the wind
Chase fish in local streams
Play soccer in open fields
Race bicycles in rain
Camp like an old American Indian, smoke the peace pipe, and
Conjure all kinds of practical mischief.
I am sorry my presence quaked your base
What a shocker that must have been
Add insult to injury —
You were expected to fully embrace
This ambush, an inconvenient set-up
Of a situation — Me
The new arrival on the scene.
Sorry!
I empathize
I do
I mean — I didn’t always see it, but now I do
All I can say — I’m glad I was not you
Being handed such an “opportunity,” and
Why not mention again, an awesome responsibility
OUCH!
You had no say, and did not ask for it
Not fair!
As for me —
From the moment my eyes could see
I loved and idolized you
So much!
But, I digress, I mean to say — I am sorry
Just as an FYI, though,
Plucking me out of your direct line of sight,
Strapping to a stroller, and sticking
My face to the Sun
Forced me to squint, close my eyes,
But was never going to make me take a nap
I was stunned at how you refused to understand that sooner
Instead, it sparked my yelling your name each time
At the top of my lungs, until
A parent, or two, arrived, and then
You’d have lots of explaining to do
W, why is she crying?
So unnecessary.
Anyway, I digress again
What I mean to say is — I am sorry
You had to come up with such permutations
Of innovative ways out
I so loved the elaborate designs
Of your escape rooms
And creative challenges.
In the end, as you know
Nothing could keep me apart
From my perfect, fun, brilliant
Big brother!
I am sorry my admiration derailed
Your plans
Caused consternations, disappointments
And, I’m sorry I had to spy and follow you
Like all the time
But, you refused to take me with you — So,
What was I supposed to do?
I am sorry I embarrassed you
When I randomly showed up
When you were trying to hang with your friends
And they were not too hot on having your little sister there.
I loved you so much
I’d want to go everywhere you went
Boundaries were not a familial concept.
Mea Culpa — Sorry for turning your young heaven into hell
It all worked out though; No?
Look how it all paid off long term
You gained an invaluable experience
Became a fabulous man
An amazing dad, husband, and friend.
See?
And, you have me to thank
For it.
But, I digress again ;)
Happy Apology Writing !!!
Thank you, Mustapha El Hajj, for inviting me to this fun challenge of poetic apology started by Sheri Jacobs. I’m not sure I’m following the process and the etiquette correctly; This is my first challenge (Yay! Thank you! Thank you!). Any feedback on anything that needs correcting, or could be improved would be wonderful, and highly appreciated. Thank you for giving me a chance and hope you and all who grace this poem with their attention, find this little number fun and enjoyable.
